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International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

Open Access Journal

ISSN: 2222-6990

Enhancing the Management of 1AZAM Poverty Programme: Transforming the Poverty Groups into a Competitive Malaysian Society

Radieah Mohd Nor

http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v10-i9/7748

Open access

Malaysia aims to achieve developed nation status. Many actions have been taken, especially to eradicate poverty among the population. This paper aims to explore the government's challenges and limitations to eradicate poverty through its 1AZAM programme. 1AZAM is the Government's main initiative for eradicating poverty, starting in 2010. Its aim is to help the poor groups to increase their income, while simultaneously to move them out of the shackles of poverty. This study employed the qualitative approach and conducted open interviews with 100 participants selected using the random sampling method, to examine their conditions before and after participating in the 1AZAM programme. Interviews were also conducted with the Division of Distribution, Economic Planning Unit (EPU), and Division of People’s Welfare, Implementation and Coordination Unit (ICU), Prime Minister’s Department (JPM). Data analysed using textual analysis found that the challenges and constraints faced by the programme can be divided into four aspects. First, the Main Performance Index used was not consistent with the Official Poverty Line Income. Second, there is a lot of money wasted. Third, the eKasih system needs to be improved. Finally, the monitoring system was not thorough and holistic. All these four aspects need to be given attention by the implementing agencies so that the programme can produce a maximum impact on the target groups.